Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have two very small turtles (under 2 inches) who do not want to bask. I was keeping the water at about 80 and the air temp on the rock is 85. I have lowered the water temp a few degrees to try to coax them out but they still hang out in the water. Any ideas?

Do you have a good light?

I think I have good light. I have a UVA/UVB light, but it doesn't produce any heat so I also have a regular 60 watt bulb 6-8 inches from the basking area. The rock is not warm to the touch but the thermometer reads 85. Am I doing it right?

As far as I know, that is good, not sure what to say, sorry!

Try getting the basking spot to about 90......how far away is the basking spot from the light and what size tank is it?

The light is about 8 inches from the rock and I can't get it any closer with the clamp light that I have, it is actually inside the 10 gallon tank. I could raise the rock but I'm not sure they would bother to climb up there, but I know they are able. Thanks for your interest, I am kind of worried about the little guys.

You can actually swing out the "joint" part of the clamp lamp and then clamping it not upright but tilted to the right or left to lower it by 1 or 2 inches. Sorry don't know how to describe it any better. Play with your clamp light and try different angles.

In the case that you can't lower your light, you can always use a hotter bulb, like 75W or 100W, which I've used on my 10G tank when water level was low. Make sure that the new bulb doesn't heat up the water too much.

try filling the tank up fuller, then you wont have to lower your light. Also, try a different basking material instead of rock which can scrape the turtles plastron. Also make sure its easy to climb up on the rock. I found some plastic screen at walmart in the craft section that is for embroidery or something. it makes a nice ramp for young turtles to climb up to anything.
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